Roselle FlowersRoselle may be used raw, dried or juiced. The fruit's tart flavor requires a sweetener of some kind, and it is successfully used like a cranberry in recipes for jam, jelly, chutney and even wine.

Barrel Cactus FruitThe fruit of the Barrel cactus is best prepared in sweet applications, since its natural tartness lends itself well to a hint of sugar. Cook the fruit down with agave syrup to make a jam, jelly or a sweet and sour chutney.

Snow Peas

Description/Taste

Snow peas have pale green pods and contain petite, flattened peas. Pods are wide and flat, measuring approximately two to three inches in length. Both the peas and pod are edible and have a sweet pea flavor and tender yet crisp texture. The peas grow from flowers which can be white or purple, at this young stage both the leaves and flowers of the snow pea plant can be eaten as well.

Seasons/Availability

Available year-round, the peak season for snow peas is spring through the early summer months.

Current Facts

The snow pea along with sugar and snap peas are part of a group of peas botanically known as Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon. Members of the Fabaceae family these peas are known for their tender edible seed pods. Botanically snow peas are a fruit but they are utilized today in the culinary world as a vegetable.

Nutritional Value

Applications

Snow peas are an integral vegetable in oriental cuisine and used commonly in stir-fries, fried rice and noodle dishes. Their crunchy texture and fresh flavor will complement soups, curries and meats prepared in a rich sauce. Snow peas can also be used raw in salads and spring rolls or served on a crudité tray. A versatile pea it's flavor and texture marries well with shrimp, scallops, cashews, citrus, soy sauce, sesame, butter, delicate noodles and tofu. Because of their high sugar content care should be taken when cooking snow peas as they will brown quicker than other varieties of peas.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

In France the snow pea is also known as, mange-tout, meaning "eat it all." In Mandarin they are known as ‘he lan do' or Holland pea. In China the pea shoots and flowers of the snow pea plant are considered a delicacy and known as Dow miu.

Geography/History

Native to the Mediterranean region snow peas were a popular variety of pea in Europe in the nineteenth century. From there they spread to China where they were quickly adopted as the preferred pea variety and to this day are a quintessential ingredient in Oriental cuisine. Snow peas thrive in cool climates and depending on variety can be trellised or grown as a trailing vine on the ground. Snow peas will be at their peak flavor and texture wise five to seven days after flowering and should be picked often to ensure plants keep producing.

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